ALDGATE WARD CLUB
“OPEN TO All”

If you work or live in the Ward or if you are just interested in the City of London, come and join our members who come from many professions and walks of life for some great events and networking opportunities. As our motto says, we are “open to all”. Our social and more formal events offer the opportunity to network and meet others in a friendly environment. Take a look at our calendar of events which includes both formal and informal occasions to suit all tastes. Why not come along and join us and become part of our world-class, vibrant City?

New President, Andrew Marsden, with his Vice Presidents; new Patron, Alderman Sue Langley and the rest of the 2019-2020 committee.

About Us

As our motto says, the Aldgate Ward Club is “open to all” and we welcome anyone, whether you work in the area, live there or simply have an interest in the City of London. The Ward is a vibrant and active business hub, with many important City businesses and institutions.

There are 25 Wards (voting districts) within the City. Each elects an Alderman and a number of Commoners (a list of ours is on the Officers and committee page) to represent them in the Court of Common Council (the City of London’s “town council”). Through our members of the Court of Common Council, we take an active part in the administration of the City. Two of our Past Presidents have also been Lord Mayors of London.

The Ward Club celebrated its 100th anniversay in 2006, but before that it was known as the Aldgate Ward Ratepayers Association and its history extends way back into that of the City. It started as a forum for local residents, merchants, traders and others with an interest in the area to make representation to the Ward’s Alderman and Commoners, but now it also has an active social and networking role for anyone with an interest in Aldgate or the City.

The Ward is also known as the “shipping Ward” in the City due to the presence of the Baltic Exchange and it being the centre of the shipping business with worldwide importance. There are many other important landmarks including the London Metal Exchange, the “the Gherkin”, Lloyds Register of Shipping and our Ward Church, the Guild Church of St Katharine Cree. Our members come from many City and other professions and walks of life – we are truly “open to all”. The Club is administered by its officers and committee – to find out more about our Committee and its functions click here.

News

Installation Dinner 2018

On the right is Alderman Prem Goyal OBE JP, a very active member of the Ward Club’s Committee, until he stood down following his Aldermanic election, congratulating David Double on his Installation at the Club’s AGM and Dinner on 5 February 2018 as the Club’s President and David congratulating Prem as the Aldermen for the Ward of Portsoken.

Members’ Event

One of the teams taking part in an Escape game held on Saturday morning followed by a relaxing lunch.

See the right of the home page for events, or on EventBrite and if any queries please contact the Club Secretary on secretary@aldgatewardclub.org

Ward Event

The City Ward Motes are on Wednesday 22nd March at Noon and ours will be in the usual place at St Katharine Cree. This is election year and for all Wards with contested elections, the Poll will be on Thursday 23rd March. However, Aldgate is one of only six Wards, which is not contested (the others being Aldersgate, Bassishaw, Bishopsgate, Broad Street and Tower).

The President, Chris Edge, toasting the Queen June 2018

Chris Edge, stepping in as interim President at the Civic Lunch with 3 days notice, toasting the Queen at his Civic Luncheon in 2018.

Officers and Committee

Andrew Marsden – President

Geliya Chukmarova – Senior Vice President

Hamish McArthur – Junior Vice President

Pádraig Belton – Honorary Secretary

Naomi Bowman – Honorary Treasurer

Interregnum – Honorary Chaplain

John Bath – Honorary Membership Secretary

Officer Emeritus – Derek Prentis

Past Presidents

Chris Edge 2018-2019

David Double 2018 to June

Dr Trevor Brignall 2017

Corinna Edge 2016

Valerie Boakes 2015

Mike Rudd 2014

Committee Members

Peter Cobb

Brian Lehmann

Clive Osborne

Susan Garland-Worthington OBE

A full list of Past Presidents of the Club (from 1907) can be found here.

History

Our Ward Church is the Guild Church of St Katharine Cree, situated in Leadenhall Street. The Parish was formed in 1473 and the Church is named after the same St Katharine whose name is also given to the “Catherine Wheel” which is such a popular firework on bonfire night.

There are a number of old festivals and traditions associated with the Ward. St Katharine Cree is the focus of the mediaeval ceremony of “Beating of the Bounds” which has been revived in recent years. One of the Club’s annual October events is the preaching of the “Lion Sermon” which commemorates the “escape” of Sir John Gayre, Lord Mayor and Fishmonger, from an encounter with a lion in 1646 whilst travelling.

Today the Ward is home to one of the most important financial centres in the world and to London’s long-established maritime industry, including the historic Baltic Exchange and Lloyd’s Register. The Baltic Exchange’s old building in St Mary Axe was destroyed by an IRA bomb on 10 April 1992 (when 3 people died) and has been replaced by the Swiss Re “gherkin”, now one of London’s most striking and well-known landmarks. The Baltic is now next door to its former site at number 38 St Mary Axe.

The Ward Club traces its history back over three centuries. It started as the Aldgate Ward Ratepayers Association and was established to represent residents and businesses with Parliament and the Metropolitan Board of Works.

Supporting our President Elect, David Double at the Guildhall Club on Monday 5th February 2018.

City of London

The City of London provides local government services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the ‘Square Mile’. It is committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business City as the world’s leading international financial and business centre through the policies it pursues and the high standard of services it provides. Its responsibilities extend far beyond the City boundaries in that it also provides a host of additional facilities for the benefit of the nation. These range from open spaces such as Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath to the famous Barbican Arts Centre.

The City of London combines its ancient traditions and ceremonial functions with the role of a modern and efficient local authority, looking after the needs of its residents, businesses and over 320,000 people who come to work in the ‘Square Mile’ every day. Among local authorities the City of London is unique; not only is it the oldest in the country but it operates on a non-party political basis through its Lord Mayor, Aldermen and members of the Court of Common Council. The Lord Mayor in particular plays an important diplomatic role with his overseas visits and functions at the historic Guildhall and Mansion House for visiting heads of State.